Chapter 13
“We’ll only know for sure once the tests come back.
I drew a blood sample, but given her condition and the fact that nothing else happened, I’d advise against taking her in to file a statement.
I’m not a lawyer, but the chances of those boys being punished are slim.
The press will turn it into a circus, and in the end, they’ll walk free. ”
“I never forget an offense, but I’ll handle this my own way,” I reply, shutting the subject down. There’s not a chance in hell I’m letting this go. “Are you sure she doesn’t need to be taken to a hospital?”
“Absolutely. Her vitals are fine. Of course, the effects of this type of drug vary from person to person, but she’s not unconscious.
Considering the timeline her friend described, after the drug was mixed into her drink, she took only a small sip.
She’s thin and probably had an empty stomach, so she fainted, but she’s going to be fine. ”
“What should I do when she wakes up?”
“The effects can last anywhere from twelve to twenty-four hours. She’ll probably feel sleepy throughout the day, though she might also wake up normally. Either way, if I were you, I’d keep an eye on her.”
“There’s nothing to discuss. Until I’m sure she’s a hundred percent okay, Jazmina won’t be leaving my side.”
“She’s beautiful. Is she yours?” he asks, surprised. He’s known me long enough to know I don’t bring women home.
“She’s under my protection,” I growl, and the bastard laughs. “My friend’s sister. And needless to say, her name must not be mentioned anywhere.”
“How many years have we known each other, Rodrick? I’d never talk about what happened tonight, out of professional ethics and because we’re partners.”
“All right,” I sigh, exhausted. “I’m not thinking straight.”
“If anything seems off, call me and I’ll come back.”
“Like what?”
“Thirst and waking up a little disoriented are to be expected. But if she vomits or complains of pain, call me. Still, that’s unlikely.”
Two hours later
I asked Lamar to drive Josephine back to campus and, just to be safe, walk her to the entrance of her dorm. Even though my rage hasn’t dissolved, nor the urge to destroy those bastards, I won’t leave Jazmina until I’m certain she’s all right.
Only the nightstand lamp is on, and her small frame looks almost lost in my massive bed.
The sheet has slipped down, revealing part of the white robe Josephine put on her. It contrasts with her long, thick, reddish-brown hair spread across my pillows.
She’s stunning. Not the kind of beauty that needs makeup or styling. She’s naturally breathtaking. Those inquisitive green eyes, sharp and challenging, only add to the almost unreal perfection of her face.
How the hell is she supposed to survive among predators like the ones out there?
I know exactly what happens on university campuses.
It’s not uncommon for girls, especially freshmen, to be drugged with what people call the date-rape drug.
Most victims don’t even report it, even when they’re sure something was off the night before.
The few who do are usually accused of being drunk and of having had consensual sex—which, in my mind, are mutually exclusive.
If you’re under the influence of any substance, alcohol or drugs, how can you know what you want?
That wasn’t the case with Jazmina. According to Josephine, who explained everything more calmly afterward, she’s certain one of those two guys drugged her.
I know I should call Kaled and tell him what happened, but that would completely destroy the girl’s hopes of experiencing the life she dreams of. Even if it risks creating a fracture in my friendship with him, my loyalty right now is to her.
Not that I’m not furious with her for having left the apartment without my security team, but nothing that followed was Jazmina’s fault.
I run a hand over my face, wondering, not for the first time, what the hell I’ve gotten myself into. I never asked for this kind of trouble, and it took me five minutes with her to realize she’d bring me loads of it.
“Rodrick,” she whimpers, and I get up, moving closer to the bed.
“I’m right here.”
“Can you stay with me a little?”
“I’m not leaving the room. I—”
“Not like that. Closer.”
“Are you awake?”
“Yes, but I don’t want to be alone. I feel scared, and I hate it.”
“Do you remember what happened?”
“No, only the feeling of being unsafe.”
And just like that, she presses all the right buttons without even realizing it.
I take off my shoes and socks and sit on the edge of the bed. Her eyes remain closed, but she reaches a hand out for me.
I hesitate for a moment, remembering what touching her skin does to me, but again, I put her wellbeing first and take her small hand, intertwining our fingers.
She exhales softly. “Thank you,” she murmurs.
In minutes, her breathing deepens.
Sitting upright, the tension of the night catches up to me. Carefully, making sure not to touch her more than necessary, I shift, leaning back against the headboard.
Now we’re side by side, and her other hand rests over mine like a warm little sandwich. She’s asleep, I’m certain, so I don’t move, afraid I’ll wake her.
I drift between consciousness and light dozing, but eventually exhaustion pulls me under. When I come to, I’m lying fully on the bed. I’m too tired to care about how inappropriate this is. With her hand still loosely trapped in mine, I surrender to sleep.
Hours later, warmth pulls me back. I open my eyes to find her curled into my arms.
At some point during the night, Jazmina moved, molding herself to me. Her arm is wrapped around my waist, drawing me closer.
Again, the rational part of me screams that I should put distance between us, but instead, I let myself observe her as she sleeps.
Awake, she’s vibrant, restless, full of life. But asleep, all her femininity surfaces.
Jazmina wants to live. She wants to leave the walls of Rheadur behind and experience the world. And I decide I’ll give her one more chance before talking to Kaled about tonight.
“You saved me,” she whispers, still half in a dream.
Does she know I’m here? Does she know she’s holding on to me? I don’t think she’s ever been this close to a man, not with her upbringing.
The certainty that I’m the first to hold her like this makes my body react, and I feel like the worst son of a bitch alive. She trusts me enough to want me near, and I repay that trust by wanting her.
The thought tears me apart because I like to think I’m an honorable man.
Carefully, I try to lift her arm from my waist to get up, but she hooks one of her legs over me, trapping me, and a generous stretch of her thigh slips through the opening of the robe.
Holy fuck.
I finally understand the full meaning of torture.